Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Updated 6:04 PM ET, Tue June 25, 2013

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, died on June 25, 2009. Four years after their father's death, Jackson's children -- Prince, Paris and Prince II, aka Blanket -- have stepped into the spotlight to honor their father's memory and create careers and identities of their own. One of the world's first glimpses at the kids was when photographers caught them leaning out of a limousine in Los Angeles in 2000. Here are more moments growing up Jackson:

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – To protect their privacy in public, Jackson would cover his kids' faces with masks and other obscuring accessories. Here, under the gauzy veils, are Paris and Prince during a trip to the Berlin Zoo in 2002.

Jackson children in the spotlight – Blanket is seen out in public five months after Jackson's death in 2009.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris, Prince and Blanket attend the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. Paris paid tribute to her father by saying, "Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... I just want to say I love him so much."

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris and Prince dressed as Michael to accept his Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys in 2010.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – In 2011, Paris, Michael's sister LaToya Jackson, Prince and Blanket donated 13 pieces of original art by MJ to Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris plays football on a boys' team in 2011.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Prince, Blanket and Paris once again honor their father's fashion and legacy at the "Michael Forever Tribute Concert" in Wales in 2011.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – The kids make a coffee run in 2011.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris and Prince step out in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris poses with Justin Bieber at the Michael Jackson hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 2012. Bieber has called Jackson "an inspiration and an icon." (The famous landmark is now called TCL Chinese Theatre).

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Prince, Blanket and Paris at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Blanket, Paris and Prince at the Los Angeles premiere of Michael Jackson "The Immortal" tour in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Prince and Paris show their father's hometown some love in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris and Prince speak with fans at a candlelight vigil held at Michael Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Indiana, in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – LaToya Jackson and Michael's kids pose with the mayor of Gary, Indiana, Karen Freeman-Wilson, in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Prince, LaToya, Blanket, Monica Gabor and Paris attend a party for Mr. Pink drinks in 2012.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Paris sports a closely cropped hairdo while picking up coffee in May of this year. Just weeks later, the "sensitive 15-year-old" would be hospitalized for a suicide attempt.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Earlier this year, Prince kicked off an acting career by appearing on the TV show "90210." Just as he was back in regular kid mode, out for pizza with girlfriend Remi Alfalah and her family in Los Angeles, Paris was taken to the hospital.

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Photos:Michael Jackson's children in the spotlight

Jackson children in the spotlight – Prince and Blanket are photographed for the first time since Paris was hospitalized, where she remains today.